The 65th Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival Opens ... "A Festival of Unity and Support"

by Lee Seryeong

Published 17 Apr.2026 23:22(KST)

The 65th Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival opened on the afternoon of April 17 at the Haman Sports Complex.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival, a grand celebration of unity for Gyeongnam residents, kicked off its four-day journey under the slogan "Haman and Changnyeong Become One, Happiness in Gyeongnam Doubled." The event will run until April 20.

The opening ceremony of the 65th Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival is being held at Hamam Comprehensive Sports Stadium in Hamam-gun, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

More than 12,000 athletes representing 18 cities and counties in the province will compete in 36 events, including track and field, baseball, and volleyball, held across Haman-gun and Changnyeong-gun.

At the opening ceremony, Governor Park Wansu stated, "It is meaningful that the 65th Provincial Sports Festival is being jointly hosted for the first time by Haman-gun and Changnyeong-gun, the center of Aragaya." He also expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in preparing for the event.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering an encouragement speech at the opening ceremony of the 65th Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

He continued, "Gyeongnam is not only a region blessed with beautiful nature, a long history, and rich culture, but also a central hub that leads Korea's industries. The province also holds a leading position in terms of population and living conditions outside the capital area."

He added, "I hope that, as residents of the province, you will take pride in this event and that Gyeongnam will unite and strengthen its harmony through this festival."

He further stated, "I hope this Provincial Sports Festival will become a venue where all 3.3 million residents of the province come together to cheer each other on, and I wish the best of luck to all the athletes."